Automobile-wheel indicator



L. H. HOUK.

AUTOMOBILE WHEEL INDICATOR.

APPLlcATIoN FILED MAR.16,.1920.

1,360,111, Patented Nov. 23,1920.

2 SHEETS-SHEET I.-

.I Ie a i s E l' .3., .am Inventor I J3 y NVM L; H. HOUK.

AUTOMOBILE WHEEL INDICATOR.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 16, 1920.

Patented Nov. 23, 1920.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

Imre vtol ,296142. #Wu/Kl UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

LOUIS H. HOUK, `or' TULSA, OKLAHOMA.

AUTOMOBILE-WHEEL INDrcA'ror..

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 23, 1920.

Application filed March 16, 1920. SerialNo. 366,216.

To all whom t may concer/n.:

cators, of which the 'following is a specification. l

My invention relates to devices used on automobiles for indicating the direction oit' the front wheels. The object is to provide an indicator of this kind which has a light so that it is clearly visible in the darkness; also to improve upon the articulation between the indicator element proper and the connection with the steering apparatus, so as to provide against injury to the device itself and to insure proper indication notwithstanding the differential movement between the body and the front axle.

My invention consists of certain elements making the indicator visible in the darki'iess and to certain elements in the connecting mechanism j between the indicator proper and the connecting rod of the steering mechanism; and it further consists of certain parts, improvements and combinations as hereinafter set forth and claimed.

` In the drawings accompanyingand iorming part ot this specification and infthe description of the drawings, I have shown my invention in its preferred form and what I deem to be the best mode of applying the principles thereof; and it is to hc under`- stoodthat, within the scope of the appended claims, I contemplate changes in `form, proportions and materials, the transposition of parts and the substitution of equivalent members, without departing from the spirit of my invention. A Figure l is a plan vieuT ofthe forward letthand corner of an automobile, the tender being removed, and showing my invention attached thereto. Fig. 2 is a `view of my device in side elevation applied to the automobile` which is shown in sectional elevation approximately on a plane indicated by the line 2-2 in Fig. l. Fig. Sis an enlarged l plan olf .the indicating element proper, namely,"an arrow ot special design and construction. Fig. 4i is a longitudinal sectional elevation oi the sameon a plane `indicated bythe line in, Fig. B. Fig, 5

springs.

length oi the arrow.

showing in particular the articulation between the arrow pivot-rod and the connecting rod to which my device is attached.

Similar reference charactersW indicate like oigcorresponding parts throughout the several views.

`Referring first to Figs. fl. and 2, showing `sonne oi the well known parts oit' the automobile more directly concerned in the understanding oi' my invention:

7 is the front axle, and 8 is one of the 9 is one oi the side beams of the i'rame, l0 is one ot the arms on the wheel lspindle portion of the knuckle joint, and ll the connecting rod connecting the arms of the two front wheel knuckles. l2 is the radiatorcasing at the front of the hood.

` My invention has its support on the radiator casing by means of a bearing bracket 1G, which provided with screw holes la (see Fig. G), and which is secured to the adiator. vertically mounted in the bearing of the bracket is a hollow stem or rod la: 'formed with an oii'set l5 immediately j above the bearing and corresponding substantially with the offset of the wheel trom the spindle of the knuckle joint. Secured to the upper end ot' the stem or rod is an indicator of arrow shape 1,6, the rear portion oli' which, is detachable, the division being madekL t 24. VVit-hin the forward portion is an electric lamp socket 17 to receive a lamp 1S. Within the shaft portion of tliefarrow is a glass tube 1,9, and in the upper side oi? `the arrow is an elongated slot, which extends in a direction corresponding with the Secured to the stein is a spring 2l having a hook22 and thumb )ieee 23 to hold the assembled parts of the l a .arrow and to permit the removal o'l' the glass tube and rear section oiC the arrow to give `access to the lamp. j

The stem la extends below the bearing brackelt and is thereengaged by a long sleeve 9.5, secured by meansoia set-screw portion` and the upper end of the sleeve Jr'orm snug thrust bearings to hold the stem againstvertical movement in the bearing.

To the lower end ofthe stem 1s pivoted a sleeve at 29, so as to give the sleeve a .swing in a vertical plane extending from front toy rear of the car; and within said sleeve is held, both rotatably and slidably, the forward end of a round rod 31, whose rear end is similarly pivoted to a cap 33, at 32. The cap is mounted on a post 34 formed with an annular channel 35 in which extends the inner end of the pin 36 in the cap, thus permitting rotary motion in a vertical plane of the cap. The post is formed so as to clamp the upper side of a connecting rod l1, while the clamping member 38, hinged thereto at 37, clamps the under side, the two clamping members being held tightly on the rod by means of the bolt 39, and as an additional precautionary element, by a pointed set-screw 410.

The parts are so attached to the automobile and adjusted that when the front wheels poi-nt or are directed straight ahead, the arrow points similarly,and when the wheels are turned, the arrow turns with them; and the offset 15. serves to give a more pronounced and accurate indication, especially f lighted, the current being carried thereto by means of lwires extending from the lamp through the stem and out through the hole 50, as shown at 5l. Y

Inasmuch as cars are-designed of different shapes as toradiators, front axles, springs and parts involved, it will be understood that the adaptability of my invention to modiiications of design of bracket and stems, will be advantageous.

The purpose =of the two pivots giving vertical swing to the rod 31 at both ends and of the slidable and rotatable mounting of said rod in the sleeve v30, is to compensate for the relative movement of the body lto the front axle and wheels, without injuring the parts'or vmoving the arrow, which will respond only to lengthwise movement of the connecting rod, and thus be an accurate 1ndicator of the position and direction of the front wheels.

Preferably the arrow is mounted rather low between the hood and the fender on the left side of the car, where it will be easily visible tothe driver; and in this location, too, the lighted slot will be more clearly and easily visible to the driver at night,

without interfering with his view ahead,

What I claim is:

l. The combination of a bearing bracket formed to be attached to an automobile body above the -front axle, a stemy vertically mounted therein and `formed at its upper end with an indicating element and with an offset between said vertical bearing and said indicating element corresponding substantially with the offset ofthe front wheels,

a sleeve pivoted to the lower end of said stem so as to have a swing in a vertical plane from front to rear, a rod rotatably and slidably Venga-ged at its forward end in said sleeve, a post having a horizontal annular channel, means for rigidly securing the post to the connecting rod of the automobile steering mechanism, and a cap mounted on said post and having a pin engaging in said channel, the rear end of said rod being pivoted to said cap so as to have a swing in a vertical plane from front to rear.

2. The combination of a bearing bracket formed to be attached to an automobile body above the front axle, a stem vertically mounted therein and formed at its upper end with an indicating element and with an o1l`- set between said vertical bearing and said indicating element corresponding substantially with the offset of the front wheels, a bracket adapted to be attached to the connecting rod of the steering mechanism for the front wheels, and a rod connecting the lower end of said stem and said last named bracket, both of said connections being pivotal so as to give a swing in a vertical plane between the connections, one of said connectionsbeing also adapted to give rotary motion of the last named rod with relation to one of said elements, one of said connections being also adapted to give said rod longitudinal movement with relation to one of said last named elements, and the connection between the two rods being pivotal so as to give a swing in a horizontal plane.

3. The combination of a bracket formed to be attached to an automobile body above the front axle, a stem mounted vertically therein and formed at its upper end with an indicating element and with an oil'set between said bearing and said element and corresponding substantially with the offset of the front wheels, and suitable connections between said stem and the front wheel steering mechanism for causing the stem to osc-illate in unison with the wheel;

4:. The combination of a bearing bracket formed to be attached to an automobile body above the front axle, a stem mounted vertically therein and formed at its upper end with a hollow indicating element having a slot extending parallel with the front wheels and said indicating element being oil'- set from said bearing in substantial accord with the offset of the front wheels from their vertical spindles, a lamp within said indicating element, and means connecting said stem with the steering mechanism of the automobile 'for transmitting the action of the front wheels on their vertical spindles to said indicating element.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed my signature.

Louis n. Honk.

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